Match Report  |  Spalding United vs Gresley Rovers

Gresley Rovers made it three out of three when they beat Spalding United in the league for the third time this season.

Rovers had the better of the first half hour with Tom Groves just failing to connect with a cross from Stefan Marshall.

Jermaine Hollis then played substitute Chris Sleath into a fine scoring position but the winger, on for the injured Dan Douglas, was denied by a superbly time tackle from Gary Pawson.

Rovers went in front on 25 minutes when Marshall beat the United offside to race onto David Blenkinsopp's fine through ball before lifting the ball past keeper Ian Pledger.

Within minutes at the other end Sean Pearson got on the end of a cross from Danny Hargreaves only to be denied by keeper David Clarke.

Minutes later Rovers' keeper Clarke did well to grab Hargreaves free kick at the second attempt after a stout challenge from Pawson.

Mick Stone then had a golden chance to level but could only fire his shot straight into the arms of Clarke.

Rovers began the second half strongly and were unlucky not to have doubled their lead just eight minutes into the second half.

Blenkinsopp was tripped just outside the box and chose to take the kick himself. His superbly hit kick easily beat the stranded Pledger but crashed against the bar.

Minutes later Rovers were left to rue that chance when United levelled in somewhat fortuitous circumstances.

The referee Mr Green gave the home side a penalty when he adjudged harshly that Leigh Platnauer had clipped the heels of Mickey Stone. Adam Buckley made no mistake giving Clarke no chance with his spot kick.

Blenkinsopp tried his hand with another free kick that Pledger needed two chances to collect.

Pledger then set up a quick counter attack that led to Hargreaves seeing the Rovers' goal in his sights but Clarke did well to block the attempt with his legs.

Shortly afterwards Hargreaves had another good opportunity but his desperate shot flew miles high over the bar.

With 15 minutes remaining manager Gary Norton made two changes replacing Marshall with the recently signed Joshua McKenzie and Chris Waldrum for Hollis and it was the debutant who made an almost immediate impact on the game.

The young former Boldmere St Michaels striker made a good run down the right and found Sleath with a cross. Sleath hit a first time shot that was blocked by a defender but the ball fell to Blenkinsopp who hit a superb low shot past Pledger and into the net.

Spalding could have grabbed an undeserved share of the points but Rovers defender Miles Chamberlain bravely blocked Stone's injury time shot.